Khamenei Rejects Trump's Demands

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has responded to U.S. President Donald Trump's call for Iran's "unconditional surrender." During a televised address on June 18, he stated, "Any military intervention against Iran will undoubtedly cause them irreparable harm." Khamenei dismissed Trump's demands, emphasizing that the Iranian people "cannot be spoken to in the language of threats," asserting that they are "determined and will resist a forced war just as they would resist a forced peace."

According to dpa, Iranian state television, which broadcast Khamenei's address, did not show the Supreme Leader, nor did his voice carry during the transmission.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry has warned foreign nations against intervening in military conflicts with Israel. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated, "Direct military intervention by a third country could lead to a large-scale war, which would engulf the entire region and even extend beyond its borders." He also considered negotiations with the United States possible while declaring a complete loss of trust in the American administration.

Earlier, President Trump made several harsh statements towards Tehran on the Truth Social social network, assuring that he would not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, and demanded the Iranian authorities to surrender unconditionally.